"Climate and Me" in Laxenburg: keynote by IIASA Director General

The exhibition will be on display at the Laxenburg Bildungscampus, where it will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 13:00 to 18:00. For two weeks, visitors can explore compelling stories, scientific insights, and practical approaches that highlight how climate protection connects to everyday life.

It will officially open on Thursday, 15 January at 18:00 with a special event in the Laxenburg elementary school auditorium, featuring distinguished speakers who will share unique perspectives on the future of energy, climate, and society.

A highlight of the event will be the keynote by IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber. Drawing on his pioneering scientific work and cultural perspective, Schellnhuber will explore essential questions about humanity’s future. He will show why climate protection is not only an ecological necessity but also a cultural endeavor, addressing the risks of global tipping points, the urgent need to transform the construction sector with sustainable materials, and the role of aesthetically compelling, climate-friendly lifestyles. His contribution underscores IIASA’s commitment to shaping systems-level change in politics, economics, and everyday life to ensure a flourishing, livable future.

Following the keynote, DI Hubert Fechner, chairman of the Photovoltaics Technology Platform, will discuss the evolving field of energy storage. Gabriel Lang, MSc, from the Lower Austrian Energy and Environment Agency, will then guide attendees through the exhibition itself, which will continue its journey to other locations across the region.

By welcoming "Climate and Me", IIASA and the community of Laxenburg send a clear message: meaningful climate action begins locally, grounded in scientific knowledge, collective responsibility, and collaborative solutions.

The event will be held in German.